Planning on doing some laundry this weekend? A few readers have requested a DIY laundry detergent recipe, which I promptly found at www.suite101.com. Similar to the DIY dish detergent recipe, the ingredients here are simple:

-3.1 oz bar Ivory soap (Ivory is chosen because it's all natural. You may use a soap of your choice)
-1 cup 20 Mule Team Borax
-1/2 cup Arm & Hammer Washing Soda
-Water

Tools needed:

-5 Gallon container
-Knife or grater
-Pot large enough to hold 5 cups of water
-Long stirring stick/spoon (for 5 gallon container)

Instructions:

Shave the soap into small strips and place in the pot with 5 cups of water. Bring the water just shy of a boil and stir until the soap is completely melted. When the soap is just about melted, pour 3 gallons of hot water into the 5-gallon container and let it sit until the soap in the pot is totally melted. Once all of the soap shavings are melted, pour the mixture into the 5-gallon container and stir.

Once the soap and water are thoroughly stirred, add the 1/2 cup pf washing soda and stir until dissolved. Once the washing soda is dissolved, pour in the cup of borax and stir again until dissolved.

Optional: Essential Oils for fragrance. If you like fragrant detergent, now is when you can add a few drops of your favorite essential oils.

Recipe courtesy of Suite 101